Planet: Critical
The Symbolic Species | Terrence Deacon
Jun 6, 2024
Professor of Anthropology Terrence Deacon discusses the impact of symbols on culture and biology. Topics include the evolution of language, the transformative power of symbols, and the co-evolution of language and human biology. They explore the interplay of AI, globalization, and human bias, and David Sloan Wilson's work in building functional social groups.
59:36
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Quick takeaways
- Our evolution with symbols impacts our biology, shaping cognitive abilities.
- Ideologies can simplify interpretations, fix identities, and pose existential threats.
Deep dives
Human Evolution and the Impact of Symbolic Communication
Humanity's evolution with symbolic communication over millions of years has fundamentally altered our biology, shaping our nervous system and cognitive abilities. The interaction between language, symbols, and our collective mind highlights our dependence on social groups and shared interpretations for thinking and connecting with the world.
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